More on overcoming separation anxiety

If you research this subject you find excellent suggestions, rather weird ones, and some downright ridiculous ones. I think the suggestion an owner of a dog with separation anxiety (SA) would find most discouraging was that it takes weeks or months for a dog to overcome SA and during that time the dog should never be left alone. Really? If the world was perfect that would be possible…but then, in a perfect world there would be no SA.

Dogs are creatures of habit; their own and ours. They understand rules and routine. SA, at its root, is about insecurity. Thus more rescue dogs, or dogs with difficult backgrounds suffer from SA than those in only one home since weaning. I see two keys to overcoming SA: self-confidence and counter-conditioning.

A self-confident dog does not stress. Granted, some dogs are fearful by nature and others are not. But, every dog can become more secure when the owners take simple steps. Establish rules, enforce them and reward obedience. Teach your dog simple obedience commands such as sit, down, heel and come. Praise him when he obeys and correct when he doesn’t. NEVER hit in correction. Use a firm — not loud — voice, tell him “no” then show him what he should do. Praise him when he does it. The more you incorporate simple obedience commands into your daily routine, the more praise your dog receives, the more confident he becomes.

I am frequently asked how teaching a dog to sit will help with bad behavior. The sit command is not what actually helps with any unwanted behavior. It is the practical application of the command. Make obedience and praise for it the biggest part of your routine and anxiety decreases. A dog without anxiety is a dog that thrives.

In addition to the obedience commands teach him phrases. If you say “I’ll be back” each time you leave, and “I’m back” each time you return, your dog learns "back" is a good thing which reduces the stress when you leave. Make your good-bye’s brief and your hello’s calm.

Before you say “I’ll be back” give your dog a hug or cuddle or whatever you do to show affection, do not get all mushy. If you do, your body language shows anxiety. He will respond in like manner. Make leaving business-like: a hug, an ear scratch, put him in his crate or room and say “I’ll be back” last thing before you exit. Returning home should be equally business-like. As you enter greet him with “I’m back.” Remain calm. Over-exuberant greeting actually shows anxiety. Leaving and returning should just be parts of the normal routine. Excitement and play come AFTER the calm greeting.

Counter-conditioning takes time and patience. The process often feels like three steps forward and one back. Counter-conditioning is a column in itself, so stayed tuned next week for some specific guidelines to counter-condition your dog’s separation anxiety.